Picture Framer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Picture Framer

Company: Michaels Stores

Location: Midlothian-11647 Midlothian Tpke, Ste A, Midlothian, United States

Job Type: PART_TIME

Category: Retail Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-05-21

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Deliver exceptional customer experiences by building relationships and providing tailored custom framing solutions.

• Drive sales and production targets for the custom framing department through personalized design consultations and high-quality craftsmanship.

• Maintain store standards, including merchandising, stock replenishment, and a safe, clean, and clutter-free environment.

• Execute retail operations efficiently, including cash handling, point-of-sale transactions, and supporting omni-channel processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Picture Framer," the responsibilities extend into comprehensive retail operations, emphasizing customer engagement, sales, and maintaining store standards, typical of a multifaceted retail associate role with a specialized function. The role requires a blend of creative service and operational execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Customer Engagement & Design Consultation:

  • Build strong customer relationships by actively engaging with shoppers and understanding their creative needs and vision for art and memorabilia.
  • Conduct personalized design consultations to recommend appropriate framing styles, materials, mats, and finishes that align with customer preferences and aesthetic goals.
  • Utilize Elevated ABC Deliver methodology to enhance customer interactions and drive custom framing sales.

• Custom Framing Production & Quality Assurance:

  • Accurately measure artwork and select appropriate materials based on customer specifications and design consultations.
  • Operate framing equipment (e.g., mat cutters, framing tools, glass cutters) safely and efficiently to produce high-quality custom framing orders.
  • Ensure all framing orders are completed to standard and delivered on time, meeting Michaels' quality benchmarks.

• Sales & Financial Operations:

  • Achieve and exceed personal sales and production goals for the custom framing department.
  • Operate the cash register accurately, process various payment methods, and adhere to all cash handling procedures and standards.
  • Support omni-channel processes, including online order fulfillment and in-store pickup, ensuring a seamless customer experience.

• Store Operations & Merchandising:

  • Maintain the ready-made frame department, ensuring it is well-organized, visually appealing, and fully stocked.

  • Execute directed replenishment and SISO (Shop In, Ship Out) processes to optimize inventory levels and product availability.

  • Contribute to truck unloading and stocking processes, adhering to established company standards and timelines.

  • Ensure a safe, clean, and clutter-free environment throughout the store, particularly within the framing area.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: hands-on creative work in custom framing and broader retail operational duties. The mention of "Elevated ABC Deliver" suggests a specific customer engagement framework that candidates should familiarize themselves with. Emphasis on sales and production targets indicates performance-driven expectations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 0-2 years of experience in a retail, customer service, or creative/crafts-related environment.

Required Skills:

• Measuring Skills: Proficient in taking accurate measurements for artwork and framing components.

• Basic Computer Skills: Ability to navigate point-of-sale systems, basic software applications, and potentially online design or order entry platforms.

• Framing Equipment Operation: Competency in safely and effectively operating framing equipment, including mat cutters and potentially saws or jointers.

• Glass Cutting: Skill in accurately cutting glass or acrylic to specified dimensions for framing.

• Customer Service Excellence: Proven ability to engage customers, understand needs, and provide solutions in a friendly and professional manner.

• Sales Acumen: Aptitude for identifying sales opportunities, recommending products, and driving revenue.

• Cash Handling: Accuracy and reliability in managing cash transactions and operating a point-of-sale system.

Preferred Skills:

• Retail Experience: Prior experience in a retail setting, understanding store operations, merchandising, and customer flow.

• Sales Experience: Demonstrated success in selling products or services, particularly in a consultative or design-oriented capacity.

• Art & Design Knowledge: Familiarity with art, design principles, color theory, and various framing materials.

• Inventory Management: Understanding of stock replenishment, merchandising standards, and inventory control principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Minimum Type of experience" directly translates to required skills, emphasizing practical abilities over formal qualifications. The "Preferred Type of experience" points towards candidates who can hit the ground running with established sales and retail operational knowledge. The mention of "basic computer skills" suggests that extensive technical expertise is not required, but functional literacy is essential.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Custom Framing Design Examples: Showcase a portfolio of custom framing projects, highlighting diverse styles, materials, and problem-solving approaches for various artwork types (e.g., photos, prints, textiles, memorabilia).

• Customer Consultation Walkthroughs: Document (anonymously) examples of how you've guided customers through the framing selection process, demonstrating your ability to understand needs and propose solutions.

• Quality Craftsmanship Showcase: Include visual evidence of meticulous work, clean cuts, secure assembly, and professional finishing in framing projects.

• Sales Contribution Examples: Quantify your impact through examples of exceeding sales targets or successfully upselling framing packages or add-ons.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you would manage the framing order process from initial consultation to final product delivery, identifying potential bottlenecks and suggesting efficiency improvements.

• Quality Control Procedures: Demonstrate an understanding of how to implement and adhere to quality checks throughout the framing production process to ensure customer satisfaction and minimize errors.

• Inventory Management Practices: Outline how you would manage framing supplies, ready-made frames, and related inventory, including replenishment and organization strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio might not be explicitly requested for an entry-level role, candidates should prepare to discuss their framing experience and customer interaction skills, potentially through a visual presentation of past work or detailed descriptions of their process if they have prior framing experience. For candidates without direct framing experience, focusing on transferable skills in customer service, problem-solving, and attention to detail will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage available.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Accrued paid time off for eligible part-time employees.

• Tuition Assistance: Support for continuing education and skill development.

• Employee Discounts: Generous discounts on Michaels products and services.

• Other Benefits: Potential for additional benefits as outlined by Michaels for part-time team members.

Working Hours:

• This is a PART_TIME position. Actual hours will vary based on store needs and scheduling, but may include nights, weekends, and early mornings, as the store operates across these times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for similar retail positions in the specified region and experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on specific qualifications, store performance, and company policies. The benefits listed are as provided by the company and are a significant draw for part-time roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Arts and Crafts Supplies)

Company Size: Large (Over 10,000 employees globally, with over 1,300 stores in North America). This size provides stability and structured career paths, but may also mean more formalized processes.

Founded: 1973. Decades of experience in the arts and crafts retail sector indicate a deep understanding of customer needs and market trends.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role is situated within a retail store environment, likely reporting to a Store Manager or Assistant Store Manager, with direct supervision from a Framing Department Lead or Manager if applicable.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: You will collaborate with fellow sales associates, cashiers, and potentially inventory specialists. The role also involves interaction with customers, requiring strong interpersonal skills.

• Team Size: Store teams typically range from a few dozen to over a hundred associates, depending on store volume and location.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Approach: Emphasis on building relationships and providing solutions, as highlighted by the "Elevated ABC Deliver" methodology.

• Process Adherence: Strong focus on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for consistent execution of tasks and compliance.

• Data-Driven Insights (Indirect): While not directly managing data, understanding sales performance and inventory data is crucial for achieving targets and contributing to store success.

Company Website: www.michaels.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Michaels positions itself as "the leading destination for creating and celebrating." This implies a culture that values creativity, inspiration, and community. The company's purpose, "to fuel the joy of creativity and celebration," should guide how candidates approach their work and customer interactions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level Retail Associate with Specialized Functionality. This role serves as a foundational position within the retail operations structure, offering a direct path to customer interaction and specialized skill development in custom framing.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Store Manager or designated department supervisor, with daily guidance from shift leaders.

Operations Impact: Directly impacts store revenue through custom framing sales and customer retention. Contributes to operational efficiency by maintaining store standards, accurate transactions, and efficient production.

Growth Opportunities:

• Framing Specialist Advancement: Potential to become a lead framer or supervisor within the framing department, taking on more complex projects and training responsibilities.

• Retail Management Path: Progression into roles such as Key Holder, Assistant Store Manager, or Store Manager, requiring broader operational and leadership skills.

• Cross-Departmental Skills: Opportunity to gain experience in other retail areas (e.g., merchandising, inventory, customer service) to become a more versatile retail professional.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in custom framing techniques, sales strategies, and customer service best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is an excellent entry point for individuals passionate about art, design, and retail. The growth opportunities are clearly defined within both specialized framing and general retail management tracks, offering a structured career progression within Michaels.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Public Retail Store Setting. This involves constant interaction with the public in a dynamic and often fast-paced environment.

Office Location(s): Midlothian-11647 Midlothian Tpke, Ste A, Midlothian, VA. The specific location implies a retail hub or shopping center environment.

Workspace Context:

• Customer Interaction Zone: The primary workspace is customer-facing, requiring a welcoming demeanor and professional presentation.

• Framing Shop: A dedicated area within the store equipped with tools and materials for custom framing. This space requires organization, attention to safety, and efficient workflow management.

• Stock Rooms: May include areas that are not climate-controlled, requiring adaptability.

• Collaborative Atmosphere: Opportunities to work closely with a team of associates, sharing tasks and supporting each other.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible scheduling is common in retail, with the expectation of working nights, weekends, and potentially early mornings to meet store operating hours and customer demand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is typical of a retail setting, emphasizing customer service and operational tasks. The framing shop itself requires precision and a controlled workflow, contrasting with the more fluid customer-facing areas.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• In-Person Interview: Likely to involve a conversation with the hiring manager (Store Manager or Framing Manager) to discuss your experience, customer service philosophy, and interest in custom framing.

• Skills Assessment: May include a practical demonstration of measuring skills, basic computer proficiency, or a discussion about how you would handle customer scenarios.

• Portfolio Discussion (if applicable): If you have prior framing work, be prepared to discuss your projects, design choices, and the process.

• Final Interview/Offer: Depending on the store's structure, a final conversation with a higher-level manager or confirmation of offer details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Visual Presentation: If you have prior framing work, bring clear photos or examples. Highlight the variety of projects and your problem-solving approach.

• Process Explanation: Be ready to articulate your step-by-step process for creating a custom frame, from consultation to completion.

• Customer Focus: Emphasize how your framing skills translate into positive customer experiences and sales.

• Transferable Skills: If you lack direct framing experience, prepare to demonstrate how your customer service, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills are transferable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Customer Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would handle a customer with a unique framing request or a challenging situation.

• Problem-Solving: Think about how you would troubleshoot a framing issue or ensure a high-quality outcome for a difficult piece.

• Sales Approach: Practice how you would approach a customer to offer custom framing services and drive sales.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the "portfolio" might be less about formal documents and more about demonstrating practical skills and a customer-centric mindset during the interview. Candidates should be prepared to talk through their process and showcase relevant experience, whether directly in framing or in transferable customer-facing roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Custom Framing Equipment: Mat cutters, framing tools, glass cutters, saws, heat presses, and potentially specialized mounting equipment.

• Point-of-Sale (POS) System: For processing transactions, managing sales, and potentially customer order tracking.

• Measuring Tools: Tape measures, rulers, calipers, and potentially digital measuring devices.

• Computer/Tablet: For accessing order details, customer information, training modules, and basic computer tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Data: Likely accessed through the POS system to track personal and departmental sales performance.

• Inventory Management Systems: Used for tracking stock levels, processing replenishments, and managing the ready-made frame department.

CRM & Automation:

• Customer Database (via POS): Basic CRM functionality may be integrated into the POS system to track customer purchases and preferences for repeat business.

• Order Management System: To track custom framing orders from placement to completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with specialized framing tools is critical. Basic computer literacy is expected for POS and potentially order management systems. The emphasis is on hands-on skill with tools and functional use of retail technology.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Inspiration: A core value at Michaels, encouraging associates to be creative and inspire customers.

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing customer needs, satisfaction, and building lasting relationships.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: Dedication to producing high-quality custom framing and maintaining store standards.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Working together to achieve store goals and provide excellent service.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Striving for optimal workflow and timely completion of tasks.

Collaboration Style:

• Customer-Centric Collaboration: Associates work together to ensure customers receive excellent service across all touchpoints.

• Task Sharing: A willingness to assist colleagues with various store duties, including stocking, customer assistance, and framing tasks.

• Process Adherence: Collaboration often involves following established SOPs to ensure consistency and efficiency across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Michaels emphasizes a culture that fuels creativity and joy. Associates are expected to embody these values in their interactions with customers and colleagues, fostering a positive and inspiring work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative & Operational Demands: Effectively managing time between customer consultations, precise framing production, and general retail tasks.

• Meeting Sales & Production Quotas: Consistently achieving targets in a competitive retail environment.

• Handling Diverse Customer Needs: Adapting to a wide range of customer expectations, artistic tastes, and budgets.

• Physical Demands: The role requires standing for extended periods, lifting heavy items, and working with tools, which can be physically demanding.

• Maintaining Quality Under Pressure: Producing high-quality custom work while adhering to tight deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Framing Techniques: Opportunities to hone skills in complex framing methods, materials, and design principles.

• Sales & Customer Service Training: Continuous development in consultative selling, relationship building, and conflict resolution.

• Retail Operations Knowledge: Gaining broader experience in merchandising, inventory, and store management principles.

• Product Knowledge: Deepening understanding of different art mediums, preservation techniques, and framing materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for skill development in a niche creative trade within a large retail organization. Challenges are typical of retail environments but are balanced by opportunities for specialization and advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Customer Service Scenarios: "Describe a time you went above and beyond to help a customer." "How would you handle a customer who is unhappy with a framing choice?"

• Sales Approach: "How would you approach a customer browsing the framing section?" "What strategies would you use to sell a premium framing package?"

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a customer brings in a very delicate or unusually shaped item for framing. What would be your process?"

• Process & Quality: "How do you ensure accuracy when taking measurements or cutting materials?" "What steps do you take to ensure the quality of your finished framing work?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Michaels and specifically in the custom framing role?"

• "What does 'fueling the joy of creativity' mean to you?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if not direct framing, showcase customer service success, attention to detail, and any creative projects you've undertaken.

• Demonstrate Enthusiasm: Show passion for art, design, and helping customers bring their creative visions to life.

• Articulate Your Process: Clearly explain how you approach tasks, from understanding requirements to execution and quality checks.

• Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare questions about the team, training, daily operations, and opportunities for growth within the framing department.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews will likely focus on assessing your customer service orientation, your ability to learn and execute specific tasks (especially in framing), and your fit with Michaels' creative and customer-centric culture. Prepare to speak about your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Picture Framer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Michaels careers portal.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight any customer service, sales, creative, or hands-on experience. Use keywords like "custom framing," "customer engagement," "sales," "merchandising," and "attention to detail."

• Portfolio Preparation (Virtual or In-Person): If you have examples of framing work or relevant creative projects, be ready to discuss them. For those without direct framing experience, prepare to discuss transferable skills in customer service, problem-solving, and manual dexterity.

• Interview Practice: Rehearse answers to common retail interview questions, focusing on customer interaction, problem-solving, and your interest in the creative aspects of the role.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Michaels' mission, values, and product offerings, particularly their custom framing services, to demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.